Over 70 Metro bus services have been cancelled across Hobart on the same day thousands of students go back to school for term one.
A list of cancelled services was posted on the company's website last night, informing travellers of the affected routes.
Metro has said all scheduled school services and general access services linked to school routes would be prioritised so as to not be affected by delays or disruptions.
Metro Tasmania chief executive Katie Cooper said staff shortages were to blame for the cancellations.
"Metro is like a lot of other industries currently experiencing staff shortages," she said.
"We've been recruiting quite strongly for the last couple of months and will continue to do so."
Ms Cooper said Metro had planned for today's disruptions and expected more cancellations over "the next week or two".
"Metro has been prioritising school services, so ensuring children and kids can get to school."
'We have no protection'
Cancellations are not a new issue facing Metro, with many trips having to be cut last year, including almost 3,500 across March and April alone.
The Tasmanian Rail and Bus Union Drivers said Metro currently had a high staff turnover rate, with resignations already in double figures for 2023.
Casual driver Kara Browning said she resigned because of the "lack of safety" and lack of support.
"Having rocks thrown at you, and rocks through your bus window … [which land] on the seat that a passenger literally just got up from, it does make you feel like what could I have done? And the answer to that is actually nothing," she said.
"Metro, I believe, needs to take this issue really seriously. We need security officers, metro police, we're the only state in Australia that doesn't have that.
"As a bus driver, we have no protection. You've got the steering wheel, the counter. Anyone can pop their hand over the edge and take your tin, your money, hit you in the face. We've had drivers spat on.
"The drivers literally don't feel like anyone is taking this seriously. There is no movement forward in either metro police or enclosed cabins for the drivers, even when you do have an issue and you report it, the follow-up is virtually zero."
Metro facing 'high staff turnover'
The ABC has spoken to a number of current and former drivers who also say the lack of support from management and the abuse they face from customers are behind the high driver turnover rate.
In a union survey of more than 100 drivers about improving safety on Metro services, 74 per cent said they would like to see lifetime bans for repeat offenders who harass or attack drivers.
More than two-thirds of respondents also wanted more transit officers on identified problem routes, and 70 per cent wanted a temporary suspension of services where repetitive violence occurred.
In March last year, security officers were employed at the request of the union, but Metro has not responded to questions about the two-week period.
When asked about the results of the two-week trial in a parliamentary committee, both Ms Cooper and Minister for Transport, Michael Ferguson, did not comment.
Ms Cooper did say Metro funded a range of security and safety measures, including arrangements with Tasmania Police, CCTV cameras on all buses and internal security and safety programs.
Bus drivers said their focus while driving was compromised when dealing with verbal and physical abuse.
While no official reports have been provided, they said they felt having security on the bus last March "made a difference".
"It's peace of mind. How much pressure that takes off you, if you've got that little bit of help," one driver said.
"It's really hard to concentrate on driving because you know they're on the bus, which makes you feel intimidated," another said.
"You're constantly looking in your rearview mirror to see what they're up to, so you're not putting your full focus on the road."
Toll on mental health
Several bus drivers have told the ABC they are anxious when driving because of antisocial and violent behaviour, and it is taking a toll on their mental health.
They said they felt powerlessness against abusive behaviours.
They said Metro told drivers they must let all passengers on the bus, regardless of what occurs.
Having to let abusive passengers on board was a "kick in the guts", one driver said.
However, Metro's Katie Cooper said in a statement that current advice given to staff was "aimed at reducing the likelihood of instances of anti-social behaviour and de-escalating the issue".
"Metro's conditions of travel clearly set out the level and standard of behaviour expected of its customers so that all bus travel is pleasant and safe for all on board," she said.
"Metro encourages all staff to speak with its Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) when needed and, in some instances, engaging with EAP is a necessary element of our after-care process," she said.
"In addition, Metro engages directly with staff through welfare checks and return to work programs."
One recently resigned driver said they used to love the job — "getting people from A to B as safely as possible".
"But it's not the job I thought it was going to be," they said.
"I honestly thought Metro would have backed us up a lot more than they do, which seems to be nothing.
"I'm just over it, I've had enough"
'Disgusting' behaviour by small number: Minister
In a statement on Wednesday, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said he had told his department to "support Metro with anti-social behaviour measures".
"Overwhelmingly, most passengers are excellent, however it's disgusting how a small number of people are treating our drivers and other users," he said.
"If my department and Metro request tougher powers, the government will provide whatever is required."
In a statement, Labor's transport spokesman Josh Willie said Tasmanians "deserve reliable, safe and affordable transport and they're just not getting it under this Liberal government".
"Many Tasmanians rely on public transport to get to work, to get to school and to participate in the community.
"I think the community has become disillusioned with the reliability of Metro which has shown through patronage numbers, and the decrease in the number of people using Metro services."
